April 2025 Updates

New Features

Map Underlay: Boundaries and Terrain Context

Introducing the Map Underlay — a visual enhancement that lets you overlay site boundaries and terrain context directly beneath your layout.

This helps with:

• Navigating complex sites more intuitively
• Verifying if your layout fits within constraints
• Understanding how the terrain interacts with your design

You can now toggle boundaries and terrain views independently — making your design process more informed and visually grounded.

Export to KML

You can now export your layout to KML format — perfect for viewing designs in Google Earth or sharing with teams that work in geospatial tools.

What’s included:

• Georeferenced boundaries
• Works with Google Earth and any GIS tool that supports KML/KMZ
• Great for presentations, field reviews, and permitting processes

This opens up a whole new way to visualize and communicate your designs — from the sky down.

Import terrain contours from DXF

You can now import terrain contours directly from DXF files to bring your custom elevation data into the project.

To make it work smoothly:

• Make sure your contour lines are on a CAD layer named: pvfarm_contours
• The system will detect and process that layer during import

This gives you more control over terrain modeling, which is especially useful when working with survey data or custom grading plans.

LandXML Import

We're expanding support for industry-standard formats — you can now import terrain data from LandXML files.

How it works:

• The system will automatically detect surface definitions within the LandXML file
• Elevation data is then brought into your project as a terrain object

This is especially useful when working with civil design software like Civil 3D or other survey tools that export in LandXML format.

Export to PVSyst (SHD) — Now by Strings

We’ve expanded our PVSyst SHD export capabilities!

You can now export shading scene files by tracker strings — this improves support for terrain-following trackers and offers greater accuracy in shading simulation.

• Previously available: export by full tracker body
• New: export by strings, enabling detailed modeling of tracker layout along the slope

Perfect for optimizing energy models in complex topographies.

Terrain Color Schemes — Now with Visual Flair

We’ve introduced a palette of new terrain color schemes to give your maps more clarity, contrast, and character.

Whether you're modeling a smooth slope, rugged hillside, or just want to better visualize elevation change — you can now switch between dozens of color styles that best fit your project context and aesthetic.

🗺️ Choose from:

• High-contrast gradients for analytical precision
• Natural tones for realistic topography
• Bold artistic styles for presentations and marketing assets
• Better visibility for different types of vision, so everyone can confidently interpret terrain data.

Grading Analysis by Block — More Granular Insights

You can now analyze grading results block by block, gaining detailed insight into how terrain adjustments impact each specific layout section.

This update empowers teams to:

• Evaluate grading volumes per block
• Compare grading performance across different site areas
• Identify hotspots for terrain optimization or design tweaks

Whether you're planning construction phasing or refining tracker placement, this feature helps turn your layout into a set of manageable, data-rich segments.

Fine-tune with precision — block by block.

Ideal for users who need a granular look at grading or evaluation over multiple stages.

Improvements

LV Wiring & CBX (LBD) Placement — Smarter Electrical Layouts

We’ve improved the low-voltage wiring routing and automatic placement of CBX and LBD within your layout.

With this feature, you can now:

• Automatically route LV wiring across the layout
• Accurately position CBX and LBD according to design logic
• Ensure electrical accuracy, and reduce manual effort

Layout Generation Panel – A Fresh New Look

We’ve updated the Layout Gen panel with a more intuitive and organized UI.

What’s new:

• Clearer structure: All key settings are now easier to access and adjust
• Improved responsiveness: Faster interaction, smoother experience
• Better defaults & tooltips: Spend less time guessing, and more time designing

This refreshed interface brings clarity and speed to your layout generation workflow — giving both new and experienced users a smoother ride.

SAT Object: Migration of Tracker & Any Tracker

We’ve taken a big step forward in how trackers are configured and managed.

With this release, we’re introducing the SAT (Single-Axis Tracker) as a unified, more robust system that replaces the legacy Tracker and Any Tracker models. This update brings:

• Improved performance
• Greater flexibility in layout design
• A cleaner, more scalable configuration approach

🛠 What it means for you:

All existing Tracker and Any Tracker instances will be automatically migrated to the new SAT format. Your layouts will continue working — but we recommend checking your equipment catalog to confirm everything aligns with the new structure.

If anything feels off or needs adjustment, our team is ready to support you. Just reach out — we’ve got your back.

Boundaries by cut fill

We’ve introduced a new way to define boundaries using cut-and-fill data!

This feature allows users to easily avoid areas with extreme grading by defining boundaries based on cut-and-fill zones. It’s a game-changer for optimizing terrain and grading plans.

Perfect for users who need to minimize grading impact and enhance design accuracy.

Boundaries by Hierarchy

We’ve added a new way to define boundaries based on electrical hierarchy!

Now, users can define boundaries according to the electrical connection hierarchy — from CBX to block circuits.

This ensures a seamless export to DXF for further design processing.

Piles coordination around the motor

We’ve fine-tuned the structural details — now with smarter pile coordination around the motor.

This enhancement improves how piles are placed in relation to the tracker motor, ensuring:

• Better alignment and spacing
• Structural efficiency
• And smoother integration of mechanical components

It’s a small shift with a big impact — helping you optimize tracker design with motor position and operation in mind.

Detailed Export to DXF

We’ve upgraded our DXF export capabilities for more precision!

This feature captures all relevant tracker elements, including PV module and pile placement for a more accurate representation.

Perfect for users needing precise, full-detail export for tracker system design.

Edit Mode: Detailed View for Each Component

Take full control of your tracker configuration with the enhanced Edit Mode. Just press the tab key to unlock!

Now you can view and adjust each individual component—whether it's a pile, motor, or PV module—with precision. This level of detail ensures that every element of your layout is exactly where it needs to be, supporting both design accuracy and construction readiness.

Layout Import UI. Inverter & Transformer positioning

We’ve made layout import smarter and more intuitive.

With this update, users can now select inverter and transformer positions directly during the layout import process. This ensures better alignment with the original design intent and speeds up the transition from imported data to a fully functional layout.

Plugin 2024 - 2025 CAD

The plugin (v.7.3.0) now supports both the 2024 and 2025 versions of AutoCAD and Civil3D, ensuring smoother integration for your design workflows.

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